Robert S Ellarson

1916-1993 Inducted 1996

“Welcome to the wonderful world of nature.” — Robert Ellarson

Ellarson’s life was dedicated to education in the arena of conservation as a professor of Wildlife Management at UW-Madison. Recognizing the “multiplier effect” of teaching educators and youth the value of natural resources, Ellarson developed the outstanding radio programs “Wonderful World of Nature.” During its broadcasts from 1956-81, the program reached some 30,000 urban and rural young people with each weekly broadcast. An accompanying teacher’s manual developed by Ellarson broadened the educational scope. Ellarson received the First Award for Excellence from the Institute for Education for Radio in 1963.